Sources indicate that George Lucas is set on rereleasing the "Star Wars" franchise in new 3D conversions beginning in 2012. Although 3D versions have been rumored for some time, Lucas purportedly was waiting until there were enough screens available to make the release a sizable event.

Fox, which released all six original "Star Wars" films, also would release the 3D versions.

Episode I, "The Phantom Menace," would be first out of star-dock during early 2012. After that, each film would be released in order at the same time in consecutive years, depending on how well the first rerelease does.

Each conversion takes at least a year to complete, with Lucas overseeing the process to make sure each is as perfect as possible. He has said that the "Avatar" experience convinced him that "Star Wars" is ready for the state-of-the-art 3D treatment.

Starting with "Phantom Menace," Lucasfilm would use several higher-end conversion houses to work on the project. By late winter or early spring in 2012, the exhibition industry should have all the 3D screens anyone could want for such a release.

At present, pics are limited to 2,000-2,500 3D locations owing to an insufficient installed base of projectors and screens. Movie theaters are adding 3D screens at a clip of 500 a month in the U.S. Foreign exhibitors also are pushing into 3D as quickly as possible now that financing for the installations is flowing.

Also pushing the timetable is a potential breakthrough in 3D TV technology. With Samsung penetrating the market with 50,000-plus 3D-equipped sets and Sony recently sending its version to market, the home-viewing experience could be primed for 3D DVD versions of the films by the time the new 3D theatrical releases have run their course.

Lucas purportedly is lining up the theatrical rereleases as a lead-in to the ultimate home-viewing experience. Beyond that, the property would launch to other 3D media.

In the meantime, Lucas plans a comprehensive Blu-ray Disc set of the six films next year, which would include upgraded picture and sound quality, new deleted scenes and special features.

This is friggin' ridiculous. He's looking more and more pitiful every damn day. He's just sitting around, trying to think of ways that his old 1970's idea can still be relevant and lucrative today. It's embarrassing.

No, George Lucas can't direct his way out of a paper bag. Christianson is not that bad. Consider that Portman is a damn fine actress, Liam Neeson is a incredible, and BOTH turned in sub-par performances.

No, George Lucas can't direct his way out of a paper bag. Christianson is not that bad. Consider that Portman is a damn fine actress, Liam Neeson is a incredible, and BOTH turned in sub-par performances.

You basically need to be an actor on the level of Alec Guinness to survive Darth Lucas' directing.

No, George Lucas can't direct his way out of a paper bag. Christianson is not that bad. Consider that Portman is a damn fine actress, Liam Neeson is a incredible, and BOTH turned in sub-par performances.

Completely this. There is a reason ESB and RotJ were the best of all the movies.

I don't even think it's just the directing. I think a great deal of the dialogue is corny and clunky and lame, mostly Episodes 1-3. The way Obi Wan has to keep referring to Anakin as, "my young apprentice". It's just dumb. People who supposedly have spent that much time together would speak more naturally to one another. The script itself is just crummy, in my opinion.

I was at Glenwood Theaters in 1983 on opening day and couldn't believe the shit I just witnessed onscreen.

TESB was by far the best Star Wars film, mainly due to the script. Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher were still clunky actors and Mark Hamill might as well have been Hayden Christensen's uncle.

Vader and the story owned the film.

I disagree....i saw it at Bannister Mall opening day and everyone loved it. I was only 12 or 13 though....i agree it hasnt aged very well, but the Vader/Emperor/Luke stuff is still great and still being copied to this day. Toy Story 3 ripped it off at the end.

Return of the Jedi had the best parts. The interplay between Luke, Vader and the Emperor was as good as it ever got. I hate the ****ing teddy bear things as much as anybody, but the rest of the film made up for it.

I saw this movie opening night at the Kennedy Theater in Kirksville when I was 17. I'll never forget the roar of the audience when Vader chucked the Emperor down the shaft. I've never experienced a crowd reaction that strong since (except, perhaps, the booing at the end of Batman and Robin).

Return of the Jedi had the best parts. The interplay between Luke, Vader and the Emperor was as good as it ever got. I hate the ****ing teddy bear things as much as anybody, but the rest of the film made up for it.

The Jabba stuff at the beginning was extremely solid too, both the stuff in the palace and the sailbarge fight.

I hate to say it, but from an artistic point of view, I agree with Lucas. Anything after ROTJ would ruin the artistic theme of the saga. This said, I would love to see a prequel to the prequels highlighting the rise of Palpatine. I don't believe that this would compromise the artistic theme the same way, say, a Thrawn trilogy would.

Dane (I think) has said that there have been murmurs of possible movies involving Yoda as a Padawan. Your idea or that one would be fine - IT'S NEW MATERIAL. That's all I'm asking for here. I have ZERO interest in seeing 30+ year old movies being remade into 3D. NONE. Can't wait for Holographic technology to make its way into theaters when Lucas is 101, and just before he kicks, he finds the fountain of youth and decides that he can't die without making Star Wars Holographic. And just my opinion here, but I think Star Wars is an entity that could surpass the "artistic theme" argument, based on popularity alone. Hollywood execs would get wood thinking about the money that could be made, and millions of fans would be juiced to see what's next. Again, jmo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Return of the Jedi had the best parts. The interplay between Luke, Vader and the Emperor was as good as it ever got. I hate the ****ing teddy bear things as much as anybody, but the rest of the film made up for it.

I saw this movie opening night at the Kennedy Theater in Kirksville when I was 17. I'll never forget the roar of the audience when Vader chucked the Emperor down the shaft. I've never experienced a crowd reaction that strong since (except, perhaps, the booing at the end of Batman and Robin).

The first time I saw RotJ was at the Metro North AMC 6 Theaters, and the first cheer came when Luke was about to get tossed into the Sandy Vagina, flipped back on the barge, and lit up his new, green lightsaber. The place went crazy.